Which is Better Porcelain Veneers or Dental Crowns? - us.instasmile.com
Dental restorations such as custom veneers and crowns can help you improve the appearance and function of your teeth. A veneer only covers the front of your tooth, whereas a crown covers the entire tooth.
Due to the expense of dental restoration procedures, it is essential to choose the right one. Despite their differences, both procedures have a high rate of success.
What exactly is the distinction between a veneer and a crown?
A veneer is a very thin layer of porcelain or other materials that are bonded to the front of your existing tooth and is about 1 millimeter (mm) thick.
A crown is a piece of dental work that covers the entire tooth and is about 2 mm thick. All-porcelain, porcelain fused to a metal alloy (PFM), or an all-metal alloy can be used.
The condition of your teeth and the problem you're trying to solve will determine whether you need a veneer or a crown. The following are some of the most common restoration conditions:
- Teeth discoloration
- Teeth that are chipped, cracked or broken
- Teeth that are decayed or weakened
- Crooked teeth
Crowns and veneers are color-matched to your teeth.
What exactly is a porcelain veneer?
Only the front surface of your tooth is covered by a veneer. Because the preparation leaves more of your original tooth intact, they're less invasive than crowns.
To prepare the surface for bonding the veneer, about half a millimeter of enamel on the front of the tooth is ground down. Some newer types of veneers don't require as much tooth surface grinding. Because the grinding may be painful, you may need a local anesthetic.
Your tooth must have enough enamel for a veneer to bond to it for it to work properly.
What is the procedure for getting a veneer?
To take an impression of your prepared tooth, the dentist will digitally scan it or use a mold. The image or mold may be sent to a lab if your dentist doesn't have one on-site.
Depending on how much your tooth was cut, a temporary veneer may be put on it until the new one is ready.
When the permanent veneer is ready, it will replace the temporary one. It will be cemented to the tooth and exposed to an ultraviolet lamp to harden it.
The tooth usually moves very little after the veneer is placed. If you grind or clench your teeth at night, you may need to wear a night guard to protect the veneer.
What exactly is a dental crown?
A crown is a tooth-covering cap. To get a tooth ready for a crown, more of it needs to be filed or ground away.
If you have decayed teeth, your dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth before placing the crown. In this case, it's possible that your tooth will need to be strengthened in order to support the crown.
If your tooth is damaged, it may need to be rebuilt. A local anesthetic may be required for this procedure.
What does it take to get a crown?
Your dentist will digitally scan or make a mold of your tooth to create an impression. If the dental office does not have a lab, the image or mold will be sent to a lab for crown fabrication.
Your ground-down tooth might get a temporary crown so you can keep using it while the permanent crown is being made.
The dentist will take off the temporary crown when the permanent crown is ready. After that, the permanent crown will be fitted to your tooth and adjusted to ensure proper fit and bite. The new crown will then be stuck to the tooth with cement.
Crowned teeth are prone to shifting, which can cause your bite to change. The crown will need to be adjusted if this happens.
How do you know which is the right one for you?
A crown is likely the best option if your tooth has a large filling, has had a root canal, or is very worn or cracked.
A veneer may be the best option if your tooth is mostly intact and the restoration is purely cosmetic. Veneers can also be used to correct minor shape issues.
How much do they cost?
Veneers and crowns are not cheap. Individual costs vary based on the size of your tooth, its location in your mouth, and local average prices.
Most dental insurance plans don't pay for cosmetic dental work. In addition, most dental plans have a maximum annual coverage limit. To find out what your insurance company will cover, contact them.
Veneers
A veneer can cost anywhere from $925 to $2,500 per tooth. Veneers made of porcelain are more expensive than composite veneers, but they last longer. Prices for composite veneers vary from $250 to $1,500 per tooth.
Crowns
The cost of a crown is determined by the type of material used, the amount of prep work required, and the size of the tooth.
Crowns can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $3,500 per tooth. Other procedures, such as core buildup or root canals, that may be required before the crown is made are not included in this figure.
Crowns made of porcelain or ceramic are slightly more expensive than all-metal crowns.
The bottom line
Veneers and crowns can both improve the appearance and function of your teeth. Both procedures are expensive, especially when multiple teeth are involved.
Veneers are used to improve the appearance of your teeth, particularly your front teeth, by covering crooked or chipped teeth.
When a tooth has a lot of decay, is broken, or needs a root canal, crowns are used. When you need to brace adjacent teeth, crowns may be a better option.
Maintaining your veneer or crown, as well as the rest of your teeth, requires regular dental checkups and good dental hygiene.
Instasmile’s clip-on veneers could be the perfect alternative to veneer or crown. Contact us and get the perfect recommendation that suits your budget!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Veneer or Crown the Best Option for Me?
Veneers and crowns appear to serve the same purpose, so they can be used interchangeably, right? No, not at all. Based on your specific situation, your dentist will recommend one dental treatment option over the other.
If your tooth is severely damaged, has a large filling, or has a root canal, dental crowns are usually the best option because the tooth enamel is more compromised and requires more protection.
Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, are best used for cosmetic reasons only. Your dentist will likely recommend porcelain veneers if your tooth is mostly intact and only requires minor shape correction or an improved appearance.
Is it possible to combine crowns and veneers?
Is it possible to have one tooth with a crown and the others with veneers? Yes. If you want to improve your smile but one of your teeth is decayed or broken, this is a great option.
A crown is your only option because you can't put a veneer on a severely damaged tooth. A tooth-colored porcelain is used to repair your broken tooth, the veneers can be made from the same shade of porcelain to ensure that everything matches.
You should have all of the teeth in your smile zone treated at the same time for the best results.
What should I anticipate from my first visit?
Your dentist will discuss your options with you during your first visit to the office. He'll talk to you about your wants and needs and see if you're a good candidate for veneers.
If you're a good candidate for veneers, he'll grind down specific areas of your teeth to make the fitting and shaping of the veneers go more smoothly. He will fit you with temporary veneers once the preparation is finished.
He'll make sure your permanent veneers fit perfectly and then bond them to your teeth three to four weeks later.
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